1) The purpose of the resume is to sell yourself to the employer.

2) Resumes are structured as arguments: claims supported by evidence:

The resume’s implied central claim is simple: I am capable of doing or being trained to do this job.

                    The resume supports this central claim by showing some combination of experience and education:

A) I have done this job before, and these people listed as references can prove I did it well:

~ Offer specific employers, job descriptions, dates and names to prove this is true

~ List the skills performed at each job

                    ~ References will later prove how well you did it.

B) I haven’t done this job but have done similar stuff:

                    ~ You must create lists of specific skills both jobs (past and one being applied for) share in common.

C I have an education that prepared me to do this job:

~ List specific classes and link the specific skills learned in those classes to the specific job.

~ Grades are evidence of how well you’ve performed those skills.

~ Honors and scholarships are evidence you excel at those skills.

D) I am not just a drone; I am an over-achieving, team playing drone:

~ Competition for occupations means you need something extra to be the first choice.  For the most part this info goes in your cover letter, but where possible, use it in your resume.

~ What additional experiences do you have that prove you are trainable, adaptable, and willing to go the extra mile to help your team achieve?

~ List whatever makes you exceptional: awards, high GPA, athletic or leadership experience, international experience, multilingualism...